Hospital officials confirmed the Iranian baby whose heart surgery was delayed due to the travel ban order of President Donald Trump is now recovering. The four-month-old baby's heart surgery was set to fix a genetic defect.
The baby, Fatehmeh Reshad, arrived in the United States to undergo tests and treatment early February. The Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) noted the infant was born with a condition wherein her two main arteries are reversed.
The was set to have her heart surgery on Feb. 5 as there was no hospital in Iran that could perform the operation. However, they were told on Jan. 27 that there was a travel ban, which affected seven majority-Muslim nation, which included Iran. They were able to board a flight to Dubai, United Arab Emirates but were routed back to Iran and were told to apply for a U.S. visa after 90 days.
The family of Reshad arrived on Feb. 7 after working things through with the Department of Homeland Security, ABC News reported. Reshad finally underwent surgery on Friday, confirmed the family's attorney, Jennifer Morrissey. Dr. Laurie Armsby, the associate professor of pediatrics and interim head of the division of pediatric cardiology at OSHU's Doernbecher Children's Hospital, also released a statement saying the child is recovering at the Intensive Care Unit. Armsby said they are hoping she would fully recover since her heart function looks well.
The uncle of Reshad, Sam Taghizadeh, said it was a miracle to get the child and her parents in the country for surgery. He added, "In the beginning, I didn't have any hope about my family coming here. I said, 'Who is going to listen to me?' ... I was surprised how the people in the U.S. helped." Taghizadeh lives in Oregon, CNN reported.
No details were released regarding the medical information about the surgery of the child. The family requested for privacy regarding the matter.
